Why I Love...

My Sister Carla

In celebration of Carla's birthday (which was last Thursday, but I like to help her extend the celebration for as long as possible), here are some of the reasons that I think she is great!

-She is a middle school teacher, which I think is amazing! Middle school is such a difficult age, and I am thankful that there are people like her who are good at loving those kids!

-She does a great ghetto voice.

-She makes me laugh with her hilarious student stories. She knows that I love hearing about when her students say or do funny things, so she always calls me when she has a good story. Remember this one?

Student: "Ms. Lahey! Did you know they had beaches in the 1920's!?!

Carla: "You mean like sand and water? Yes, hunny - sand and water have been around for quite a while now.

-She has always been an inspiration for me to look up to. And compete with. She is probably the sole reason that I ended up valedictorian of my high school. She was near the top of her graduating class, so there wasn't much room for me to beat her!

-She sent me this YouTube video to enjoy. Isn't it so darn cute??



(I especially love the faces that he makes and the final "I'm Yours!")

-She loves Jesus and lives a life that honors Him. A great example!

-She can bust a move. Unfortunately for you, she usually only does that in the privacy of her own home.

-She has great hair. I wish mine were half as thick!

-She is a great story teller. She has a particular way of making things funny. I guess that's the drama queen in her.

-She sometimes leaves me comments here on the blog (which I love!) even though she refuses to blog herself. (Granted, I coerced her into having a blog in the first place...)

Happy Birthday, Carla! I love you!

The simple things...

Sometimes the simple things in life bring us the most pleasure. Like tonight, when I saw this bottle in the grocery store:

Complete with this message on the bottle:

Seriously?? Peppermint mocha all year long!?!? What could be better??

Wait...I can think of something! The combination of peppermint mocha creamer with Starbucks Casi Cielo:

Mmmm...rich yummy goodness.

Now, if only Casi Cielo was available all the time, I'd be in business...

Who Are You??

Sometimes I wonder who the heck is reading this blog?? I know about a handful - my Momma and sisters, the occasional visit from roommates past and present, Lima friends, and a couple old friends from college maybe. But, who are the rest of you?

For example...

Who are you in Ocean Springs, Mississippi and Reston, Virginia?

Which ones of you work friends connect to me through Melissa's family page?

Who is it in California that also reads my friend Sharon's blog?

Who are you in Gainesville that has this post bookmarked?

Which ones of you read me on your Google Reader? (from WV and Miami???)

It's funny to think about who may be reading. I would love to know who you are! Feel free to leave a comment here!

Random Thoughts

My mind is often so full of thoughts, all running around up there at the same time, competing for attention. This is particularly true while I am driving to work. I try to use that time as "quiet time," with the radio off so that I can have some time just to think and pray. Usually, though, while I am trying to focus and pray, my mind runs in 800 different directions. I end up stopping myself on a particularly random thought and wondering, "how the heck did I end up here?" And then I try to refocus myself. Which works for a few minutes before I cycle back to randomness. And the cycle begins.

But ANYWAY, back to the point (See??). The point of this post, that is. (You're probably wondering what that is. Me too! Just kidding. I know the point. And you will, too. Right now.)
Which is to share some of those random thoughts and get them out of my head.

Like the fact that the random large black blob on the top of my computer screen is really annoying. But, I can't decide whether it is annoying enough to buy a new computer. Because I really can't afford it right now. I am getting some money back in taxes, but I really should save that, right? Because I need to save more in the event that selling this house (if ever anybody actually comes to look at it) costs some money. Which is almost surely will. So I should plan for that. And save. Which means that I can't afford to replace this computer. Even though it has a large annoying black blob on the screen. And even though the power cord is about as temperamental as they come and only charges the battery when placed at the exact right angle with the perfect amount of pressure. I should buy a new one of those, at least. But, I don't want to spend money on a power cord if what I really need is a new computer. But, computers are expensive and I really can't afford it...

Yesterday I sat with an 11-year-old girl while her doctor told her that her leukemia is back. Again. For the 3rd time. I hate days like that. I love that girl. She is beautiful, kind, thoughtful, full of life, fun, creative, and wise beyond her years. She is also walking this difficult journey with so much grace. She is quite a thinker, and she analyzes situations in a way that most 11-year-olds wouldn't. She puts on a brave face, but I also know that she is scared and the fears about the treatment ahead keep her awake at night. She shouldn't have to walk this road. No child should. But, she does. And, now she has to fight even harder. Because those nasty cells in her body just won't go away. Oh, how I pray that they would. For good. And never come back.

I love coffee. I used to hate it. In college, when so many people pick up the habit during late nights of studying, I rebelled. I hated the taste as well as the smell. But, during my senior year slowly but surely, I caved. It started with the mocha (with lots of chocolate) and then the Tower Freeze (like a frappuccino) with chocolate and mint, then slowly to the cafe au lait (half coffee/half milk) with about 5 sweeteners and eventually I found myself drinking straight up coffee with no milk and a little sweetener. When did that happen?? And now, a good cup of coffee is one of my pleasures in life. I love it. So rich and yummy. I love Casi Cielo from Starbucks. So glad that it is back in stock right now. Such yummy flavor! So good. Mmmmm....

Speaking of yummy, I need to eat less. And exercise more. I should make use of that gym membership that I got for Christmas. Today. But, that involves getting dressed and leaving the house. And it is so cold outside. And so warm under my blanket. Maybe I will just run on the treadmill here. And let Bob from the Biggest Loser kick my butt on the DVD. Maybe. Or maybe I will just lay here under my blanket and continue to think about it...

Confession

I have a confession to make.

Are you ready?

I am addicted to using "..." at the end of a sentence. I do it ALL the time. I can't seem to help it. I don't know why...

See? It just happens! Just like that. I guess in my head there is more to be said, so I just leave a little extra room for the thought to continue. Or something like that...

So, I admit it. That's the first step, right??

And maybe, just maybe, I'll work on trying to change my ways. Maybe I'll replace the addiction with something else. Like italics. But then again, maybe not...


What about you? Do you have confessions you need to make?? Go ahead. It's a safe place here!

A New Thing

"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?" Isaiah 43:19

Last night in small group, someone read this verse. As soon as she read it, it resonated with my heart. "Behold, I am doing a new thing..." I think the Lord is doing a new thing in me. I am not sure yet what it is, but I am thankful. I need to be refreshed. I want to be renewed. I want to experience more of the Spirit and His power in my life. I want a fresh passion for the Word and for the Lord.

But, even beyond myself, as we were talking last night, it seemed as though the Lord may be preparing lots of new things...

... new vision for an internet campus of our church. To go beyond just the ability to watch online, but the ability to connect and find resources and support...

... new hope for redemption of lives that have been adamantly opposed to a relationship with Jesus...

... perhaps even new hope that Haiti might through this tragedy be redeemed and become known as a people who love and worship Jesus Christ...

Lord, I pray that you are doing a new thing - in my life, in the lives of my family and friends, in this country, and in the world. Lord, I pray for lives to be redeemed. I pray for diseases to be healed. I pray for Your kingdom to come on this Earth. I thank You for the hope that I have in You.

But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel;
Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Isaiah 43: 1-3a

Anna's Getting Married!

My friend Anna is getting married in just a couple of weeks! In celebration of her, we headed out for some fun last night. We ended our fun with dinner at Medieval Times. Here's the proof:

Even though our red and yellow knight was not the victor, we still managed to have a good time. It was good to get to hang out with Anna again (she lives in Alpharetta now) before she heads down the aisle!

Adding to the fun was the fact that our waiter was a guy with a love for Jesus and a heart for the world. He was in Haiti on a mission trip just 3 days before the earthquake. He is headed back in a couple of weeks, so you can send up some prayers for Steven as he goes!